Stoker



STOKER 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY.

F. P. ROL-:SCH

Filed Nov. 2o, i951 Aug, zo, 1935.

F. P. RoEscH 2,011,91H

STOKE R Filed Nov. 2o, 1951 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

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; boiler reboX.

YPatented Aug. v20, 1935 rAjENr N ortica STOKER -Frank P. Roesch, Chicago, Ill., assignorto The Standard Stoker Company, incorporated, a c orn poration of Delaware 'Application November 20, 1931, Serial No. 576,21'7`l I 21 Claims. n (Cl. 1710-101) This invention has reference to aniil'nproved stoking apparatus of theclass arranged for the delivery' of fuelk by manual or power means through theV conventional rin'g opening of a It is particularly applicable for use 'with small locomotives although it vis capable of more extensive service. l

Primarily, the purpose of the invention is the provision of stoking apparatus of the class'described such that satisfies or compromises thefconiiicting requirements of the users" andat the same time, complies with the interstate laws governing firedoor frame member mounted outside the 'iire' box communicating with the conventional firing opening through which conduit fuel may be de? delivered manually, by power means,` or both into the firing opening, and hence into the iirebox, and within which conduit or frame member thereis mounted a iiredoor operable manually or from power means such'as by suitable link and rod connections responsive to a pressure fluid controlled by the stoker operator'. l v f Another objectfof this invention is the pro- Vision oi' a device of the character specified which forms a closure for the firebox firingv opening either when firing the fuel manually or by power means thus preventing thev flow of escaping steam throughtheI firing opening should any disturbance` occur in the 'iireboX' such as results Ifrom droppingof the crown 'sheet orburning outof the flue sheet. k

4A further object of the invention is thepro-k lvision of a Stoker conduit embodying a redoor mounted'therein to'swing to andfrom ther fireboX firing opening on a substantially horizontal transverse axis. l

ofenlarging the existing firing opening.

ln addition to the several objects fabove'set forth, the invention contemplates the lprovision of afiredoor framemembercarrying a pivotal*` door combined with a distributingV meansat'the firebox firing openingto which means fuel is sup-A plied manually for spreading over the lirebox grate, the iiredoor lbeing operabley from powerr means controlled by the operator.` Incarryingl out this object :it isnot' necessary-that power this invention is Vthe 1 means be provided also'for supplying fuellto thel distributing means. f n Many other advantages and more specific'ob-A jects of theinvention willr be apperent to those skilled in the art from the following description 5 f when read lin connection'with the accompanyingY drawings, in which y y v l Fig. l is a central vertical longitudinal sectional View of the rear portionof a locomotive rebox with the stoking apparatus of the inven 10 `tion shown thereon in elevation with some parts in section; Y ,-f

Fig', 2 is a view similar to Fig. ll showing the delivery end of the 'Stoker and its combined firedoor in central vertical longitudinal section; 15 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the' structure shown in Fig; 1 with the hill-,ged manual firing opening of the stoker conduit shown open;

Fig. (i i'saplan` sectional view l'on the line 4 of Fig. 2` showing the redoor inclosed position; 20

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical Asectionon the irregular section line 5 5 of Fig.`2, with the lire-l door in closed position.

`These figures illustrate the inventionas ap- 25 A,plied to a small' locomotive andit Will be so vole- Asection Sis mounted withinthe locomotive cab It 'onthe backwall I I of the rebox I2 in a manner to surround the conventional firing opening I 3 35 which is disposed in the'backwall a little above the cab deck lll, anda sufficient height abovether rebox grate l5 to permit spreading thefuel from the opening in aerial paths above and over the grate. Preferably, although not necessarily,"'the 40 conduit S is carried` on the backwall I I Vand maybe ixed theretoadjacent its"lower 'end by? theM bracket l@ and at its upper end or mouth por-,- tion il by the lateral flange i3 which extends about the conduit. The mouth portion I1 cior- 45"y responds substantially inform and size to the firing opening I3 with which ity directly communicates. v Y Inthe mouth portion a distributingmeans mounted for receiving thefuel therefrom and 50T projecting it through the firing opening I3, v spreading the same over the nrebox grate I5. This' distributing means Acomprises the distributor plate I9` and the vljlistributorr head 20. The plate" in. effect forma detachame continuation' of the 55 as at 23 lead to horizontally directed jet open# ings 24 in the front face of the head slightly above the plate I9, through `which jet openings the pressure fluid dischargesv overl the distributor plate for propelling the fuel therefrom.

From the distributing means the conduit or riser S slopes rearwardly and` downwardly` to a point below the cab deck I4. There its lower open end 25 receives the front end of a'conduit section 2B `leading from a` source of fuel supply such as the locomotive tender not shown.

Anyusuitable power means may be utilized for advancing thefuel through the conduit sections S and 2,6 onto the distributing means. For this purpose a screw conveyor 27 is rotatably mounted within the conduit section 26.' The screw may be driven from its rearward end or intermediate its ends in any manner well known inthe art. Thus, byv `action of the screw 21, fuel is mechanically` fedffrom a` source of supply to the ring opening I3, the conduit S forming an enclosedpassage 28 between the conduit section 26 andthe-firing openingl I3 and hence a closure between thel firing lopening and the cab lil above the deck I4.

In order that fuel may besupplied manually ontov the vdistributing means -or into the rebox I2 through its opening |3, the rear vwall 29 of the conduit S is providedwith a removable sec-l tion 30 diametrically opposite the firing opening; Preferably, the wall section -is` hinged as at 3| to one side oftheconduit S `permitting the section to swing laterally 'fromfthe'conduit in eifectforming a hinged door which when closed is securely held in position by thespring lock 32 xed to apwall4 of thev conduit opposite the door hinge. The spring lock 32 comprises arelatively thin portion 32a which is exible so that itmay be manually bent upward whenever it is desiredto'openthefwall section30. Upon returningthe wall section 30 to its'original position, the arcuate face E!! thereof forces the corresponding face 6I ofthe lockV 32 upwardly and thus permits the spring lock 32 to firmly lock the wall( lsection to the conduit S. During normal operation of the stoker power conveying means, the section 3 D-is closed but when it is necessary or desired to resort to manualir firing it is thrown open and remains open until the fuel is again delivered by the power means.

v With the wall section or hinged door 30 open,

fuel may be manuallyfed through the conduit mouth portion, I'I onto the distributing means or directly through the firing opening I3 into the nrebox. Whenvfired manually, the fuel is suppliedinto the rebox a scoopful at a time and during the lapse of time between successive scoops t-is desirable to close the firing opening I3 to prevent the rush of cold air into the rebox, and to comply with the interstate laws affecting locomotive firing it is necessary that the closure be a power actuated door.v To, this end a pivotal redoor 33 is mounted within the mouth portion I1 to swing to and fromthe firing opening I3 on` the substantiallyhorizontal rocker shaft 34 extending transversely ofthe conduit mouth portion and the firing opening.

The rocker shaft 34 is journalled in the bearings 35, 35a in the sidewalls of the conduit S and at each end extends therebeyond. The

shaft extension to the right of the conduit as best shown in Figure 5 lhas fixed therein the clutch member 36 and loosely carries the clutch lever 31.V By engaging the' clutch lever with Vthe xed clutch member the redoor 3S may be moved manually. Thev rocker shaft extension tothe left of the conduit has xed thereon the rocker arm 38 which is'connected with power actuatingmeans as `will now be described.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 5, a link 39 connects the rocker arm 38 with the rod of the piston 40 mounted in the air cylinder 4I. Admission'of air to the cylinder through its port 42 is controlled by valvular means consisting of ,the valve 43 controlling the passage of air from a supply chamber 44 into the cylinder port 42,'thevalve spring 45 in the valvev chamber 45 and a rocker lever 4'( receiving its motion from apedal 48. Compressed air, or any other suitable pressure fluid, is supplied to the supply chamber lMithrough the pipe 49. The rocker lever il is pivoted at 50 `in the arm 5I extending from the air cylinder which' is bolted as at 52 tothe conduit S. f

vAll of this actuating mechanism is so arranged that when the pedal 48 ispushed down air will be admitted under pressure below the piston 40 and will move the piston upward acting through the link 39 to push upward on the rocker arm 33 and that inv turn will rotate the rocker shaft 34 swinging the firedoor 33 forward and upward in the firing opening i3.V When the pedal is permitted to ris`e,the spring 45 closes the Valve 43 and the jredoor `will swing `downwardly of its own weight awayfrom the firing opening to form with the seat 54 of the conduit S a closure for the firing opening. The downward movement of the firedoor is cushioned by the restricted discharge of the air from vthe cylinderl through the vent 55 ofthe valve-chamber dit.

Inasmuch as the conventional'form of firing opening I3 is elliptical, the redoor 33 is given an arcuate shape in transverse cross section corresponding to the shape of the upper portion of the firing opening so that the door when raised may closely fit the openingto provide the maximum size opening above the distributing. means for either-manual'or power feeding of the fuel. Due to this arcuate shape of the redoon the front face ofthe seat 54 in the conduit S is shaped 'similarly` as will vbe seen in Figure 4. This seat comprises the ledges 54a, 54h in the sidewalls of the conduit S `and. the arcuate face 54C of its bottomr wall 2| .v A portion of the face 54e is made in the distributor head 2t) above the jet openings 24. Thus when the i'lredoor 33 is in closed position in the seat 54, as shown conventionally in vFigure 2,' its lower marginal edge is above the jet openingsV 24, hence, above the distributor plate I9. Thus it is possible if desired to have the pressure fluid from the distributor 'head blowingV over the distributor plate when the firedoor `is closed as well as when it is open.

f f AsV aconvenient means to hold` the redoor 33 CIK eov

and the pawl 56 hinged at 5l to the flange I8 of a the conduit S. Engagement of the pawl with .the ratchet as shown in Fig. 1 will hold the iredoor 33 in its maximum open position. By engaging the pawl with any oneof the teeth on the ratchet to the right of the one showniin engagement, the iiredoor 33 may be held in any desired angular position intermediate its end positions to serve as a top deflector for the distributing means acting to guide that portion of the fuel downwardly and forwardly that has a tendency to rise as it enters the firing opening.

When'itfis desired to Idisengagethe pawl and' ratchet mechanismthis can be done by'raising the redoor 33 manually byvuseof the clutch lever 31 to relieve the weight ofthe door from the pawl 56 which can then be thrown back out of engagement with the ratchet. The iiredoor will then swing downward andV backward toits closed position ready for actuation by the pressure fluid actuating mechanism heretofore described.

In the broader aspects of the invention the conduit S may be considered a firedoor frame member on the rebox backwall arranged to permit the delivery therethrough into the ring opening i3 of fuel manually and, or by power means or both. On very small locomotives the power conveying means may not be necessary and in this event the conduit S or its upper portion can be vutilized asa frame member carrying the distributing means and pivotal flredoon'which door'may be power actuated as herein described to permit manual firing of fuel onto the distributing means or directly throughk the ring opening into the rebox. This arrangement would eliminate the labor necessary to scatter the fuel manually over the fire.

While only one embodiment of the Vinvention is disclosed it isucapable of modification within fromsaid iringopening on a substantially horim` yzontal transverse axis, a seat in said conduit rearward of said distributing means for said door preventing movement thereof outwardly fromy said backwall beyond its normalA closed position, means responsive to a pressure fluid for opening said door, and means holding said door in open position above said `distributing means during normal operation of the means kfor advancing opening, means for'advancing fuel through saidV vconduit ontothe distributing means, the rearwall of said conduithaving a hinged section opposite said ring opening, a redoor within said conduit mouth portion mounted to swingv to and from said opening on a substantially horizontal transverse axis, a'seat in vsaidconduit rearward y 3 of said distributing meansfor said door preventing movement thereof outwardly from said backwall beyond its normal closed position, means responsive to a pressure fluid for opening said door,A

and means adjustable for holding said door in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions intermediate its end positions in angular relation to and above said distributing means.

3. In combination with a firebox having backwall with a firing opening therein, a stolzer-riser conduit on the outside of said'backwall having a mouth portion communicating with said firing opening, a distributing means at thev conduit mouth portion and extending forwardly therefrom in the lower portion of said ringopening, power means for advancing fuel through said conduit onto the distributing means, said conduit` having a removable wall portion opposite said firing opening' to permit manual firing of fuel, a iredoor` movable in said conduit between its removable wall section and said firing opening, means holding said door open during normal operation of the means foradvancing fuel Vthroughthev conduit to permit delivery of the kfuel from. thefconduit on to the distributing'means. and means re`` sponsive to a pressure duid for opening said fire doorduring manual firing of the fuel into said` firing opening through the wall of the conduit at times when the said'power means for advancing fuel through the conduit is not in motion'.

4. A stoker riser conduit terminating in `an open mouth portion directed horizontally cornprising a hinged rear wall section opposite its open mouth and a door pivoted'in said mouth portion forming a movable closure therefor.

5. A Stoker riser conduit terminating in an open mouth portion directed horizontally comprising a removable wall section opposite the open mouth' mouth portion to swing on a `substantially horizontal transverse axis.

7. Inrcombination, a stoker riser conduit terminating in an open mouthportion directed horizontally'comprising a hinged rear wall section opposite its open mouth portion, ak door pivoted in said mouth portion forming a movable closure therefor, and means responsive toa pressure fluid for actuating said door about its pivot, said means being secured to said conduit.r

8. In combination, a locomotive having a cab and a cab deck, a firebox having a wall with a lir-V ing opening therein above the level of the deck, a fuel riser casingl mounted against saidwall and vsurrounding said firing opening, `means for advancing fuel through said casing, said casing forming a seal against exposure of said firing opening to the cab space, said casing having a rearwall with an aperture therein approximately the size of vsaid ring opening permitting access to the rebox to be gained therethrough and permitting manual delivery of 4'fuel therethrough, a removable covering forming a closure for` said aperture, a redoor pivoted in said casing forming a closurebetween said firing opening and said casing andmeans in said casing adjacent the lower marginal edge of said firing opening for projecting the fuel through said firing open'- ing into the rebox. l

9. In combination, a locomotive having a cab and a cab deck, a flrebox having a wall with a ring opening therein aboveY the level'ofthe` deck,V a fuel riser casing mounted against saidiwalliand surrounding said firing opening, means for 'ade vanoing fuel through'` said casing, said vcasing forming a seal against exposure of said firing opening to the cab space, said casing having, a rearwallwith an aperture therein approximate-- ly the size of said firing opening permitting access to ythe rebox to be gained therethrough and permitting manual delivery of fuel therethrough, a removable cover forming a closure for said aperture, a iiredoor within said casing mounted to swing to and from said firing opening on a substantially horizontal transverse axis, and a seat in said casing for said door preventing movement thereof outwardly from saidibackwall be-` yondits normal closed position.

10. In combination, a locomotive having a'cab deck, a fuel riser casing mounted against said wall and surrounding said iiring opening, `means for advancing fuel through said casing, a distributor plate extending from said casing forwardly in the lower portion of saidfiring opening, said casing forming a seal against exposure of said ring opening to the cab space, said casing having a rearwall with lan aperture therein approximately the size of said firing opening permitting access to the iirebox to be gained therethrough and permitting manual delivery of fuel therethrough, a removable cover forming a closure for said aperture, a redoor pivoted in said casing for movement over saidplate foreand aft with respect to said iirebox,l a seat in said casing above said plate forming a stop for said firedoor `against movement outwardly from the 'lrebox, and means arranged `with said casing for discharging a blast of pressure fluid across said plate at a point below the bottom of said firedoor` when in closed position.

1l. In combinationv with a rebox having a wall with an opening therein, a Stoker riser conduit mounted againstsaid wall, said conduit terminating in an open mouth portion communicating with said ring opening, said conduit having a removable wall section opposite ,its open mouthportion arranged to permit delivery of fuel therethrough into said openingand a door movably mounted in said mouth portion forming a movable closure between said opening, and said mouth portion. j l

i2. In combination with a rebox having a backwall with a firing opening therein, a `stolzer riser conduit terminating in an open mouth portion directed horizontally and communicating with said firing opening, said conduit `having a removable wall section opposite its open mouth portion and said Yfiring opening, a door pivoted insaid mouth portion forming a closure between said firing opening and said mouth portion and means operable by a pressure for opening said door.

i3. In combination with a `rebox having a backwall with a iiring opening therein, a Stoker riser conduit mounted against said bacini/all, said conduit terminating in an openmouth portion directed horizontally and surrounding said firing opening,v said .conduit having a removable wall section opposite its open mouth portion and said iiring opening, a door pivoted in said mouth portion adjacent the-upper portion of said ring opening and intermediate said iiringiopening and ,said removable wall portion and means responsive to a pressure fluid for swinging said'redoor about itspivot'i fore and" aftwith respect to said fireboxp` 1 14.'In combination with, a'rebox having'a backwall with a ring opening therein, a stoker riser conduit terminating in an open mouthportion directed horiaontally and communicating with said firing opening', `fuel projecting means adjacent said opening, said conduit having a, removable wall sectionN opposite its open mouth portion and said ring opening and a door pivoted in said mouth portion movable in said opening fore and aft with respect to -the'rebox forming a closure between said firing opening and said mouth portionpsaid door when `open permitting unrestricted passageof' fuel through said conduit into thezone of'action' of said projecting means. 'l f Y 15. In combination with a' rlrebox having abackwall with a firing opening therein, a Stoker riser conduit mounted against the backwall, vsaid conduit terminating 'in an open mouth portion directed horizontally and communicating with said iiringv opening, said conduit having a rear wall With-'an opening therein opposite its open mouth portion and saidring opening, a removable closure for said opening and a'pivoted'door` mounted in said` mouth portion movable fore and aft withv respect to the. rebox forming a closure for theopeningbetween saidiringV opening and the riser conduit mouth portion.n

16. kIn combinationwith a flrebox having a backwall with a firing opening'therein, a Stoker riser conduit mounted againstthebackwall, said conduit terminating in an openmouth portion directed` horizontally and communicating with said ring `opening/saidy conduit having a rear wall with an opening therein opposite its open mouth portion and said firing. opening, a removable closure for said opening, a cover for the opening in said rear wall hinged to said conduit and movable laterally with respect thereto, a firedoorpivoted in said mouth portion between said cover :and said ring opening and means responsive to a pressure iluid for swinging said redoorabout its4 pivot fore and aft with respeet` to said firebox. f l

17.111 combination, with a rebox having a wall with a firing opening thereima stoker riser conduit mounted against said wall, said conduit, terminating lin an open mouth portion directed horizontally and communicating with said ring'. opening, said conduit having a removable wall section opposite its open mouth portion and said ring opening providing vaccess to said opening for lmanual iiring, a redoor pivoted in said mouth portion to swing fore and aftinsaid opening, means holding said door in its open position during delivery of fuel into said rebox through said riser conduit and means responsive toY a pressure .fluid for opening said door during rmanual feeding of' fuel. through the opening,

formed by removing said wall section. Y

18. In combination with a iirebox 'having a backwall with anfelliptical ring openingtherein, a Stoker riser `conduit terminating in an open mouth portion communicating Withsaid firing opening, said conduit having a'reino'vable wall section oppositeits open mouth portion and said. ringopening, a `door pivoted inV said mouth portion movable in` saidv opening fore and aft with respect to the rebox arranged toprovide aclosure between said. ring. openingV and said mouth portion, said -door when open being disposed.- horizontally adjacent the upper marginaledge of said-,ring` opening, the suria'cegof said distributing means, the rearwall of said conduit door adjacent the upper marginal edge of the' l `having 'a removable section opposite said firing ring opening being curved concentric therewith, said door when open permitting unrestricted passagel of fuel through said rconduit and through the' opening formed by removing said removable wall section.

19. In combination with a rebox having a backwall with an elliptical firing opening theremouth portion, said door when openbeing disi backwall with a ring opening therein, a Stoker lriser conduit having a mouth portion surroundin, a stoker riser conduit terminating in an open mouth portion communicating with said firing opening, said conduit having; a removable wall section oppositefits open mouth portiony and said r'ing opening, and a door pivoted in said mouth portion movable insaid opening lfore and aft with respect to the rebox arranged to provide a closure between said firing opening and said posed horizontally adjacent the upper marginal` edge of said firing opening, Vthesurface of said door` adjacent the upper marginal edgeo the ring opening being curved concentric there-` with, said door when open permittingunrestricted passage of fuel through said conduit (and through the opening formed by removing said removable wall section. K K

20. In combination with a rebox having a lower Yportion of said firing opening, means for advancing fuel through said conduit onto the opening, a redoor Within said conduit mouth portion mounted to swingto and from said firing 4opening on a substantially horizontal transverse backwall with a firing opening therein, a Stoker riser conduit having an open mouth portion communicating with said firing opening, said conduit having a yremovable wallsection opposite its open mouth Aportion through which fuel is delivered into the rebox through said ring opening, a distributor plate extending from said mouth portion forwardly in the lower portion of said tiring opening, a redoor pivoted in said mouth portion for movement over said plate fore and aft withrespect to said rebox, a seat in said conduit above said `plate forming a stop for said firedoor against movement outwardly from the rebox, means arranged withsaid conduit forl discharging a blast of pressure *iiuid across said plate at a point below the bottom of said door when closed, said firedoor forming a movable closure between said ring opening and said mouthy portion, and vmeans responsive to a pressure fluid for opening said redoor. 

